In Everything Give Thanks

Having surgery was a strange season in my life.  I feel like sometimes it was a waste of time.  I still struggle walking and I hate it. I thought it was going to be so much better when I recovered from the surgery.  It’s not.  It stinks. I also have debt. For the first time in maybe 10 years I owe others money. A looming bill riding over me every month was not part of the plan. I also found out that insurance companies stink. It feels like they look to their own interests instead of mine. But in all this, I have to give thanks.  

I know God had a reason for the surgery.  I thank him for that.  During the time of surgery and recovery a lot of things took place.  These things happen because of the surgery.  The surgery itself and the recovery from it may anger me a little, but the fall out or the beauty that surrounded everything from it is definitely worth it.

One of the benefits that came out of this time was growing closer with Grace.  She helped me and cared for me during this season and I got to see her heart and compassion.  I saw her support and understanding.  Goodness and mercy just oozed out of her.  This was beautiful to see. I’ve got the best wife.

Another gracious event that happened was growth in relationships with dear friends.  Grace and I got to witness families love on each other and share in joys and struggles.  We got to be there to help and be a member of beautiful households.  We got to share intimate times with friends and precious moments with children.  We had great times of prayer, joy, laughter, but also deep sadness, anger, and weakness.  We truly became family during this time.

Finally a blessing that occurred through this was rebuilding the van. Because we have Rhome 2.0 our traveling has been on a whole other level.  Life in the van has been far more simple, easy, and fun because of the changes God has allowed us to make to the van during my surgery and recovery time.  Everything Grace and I wanted in our last van we were able to achieve in this version. The layout is simple and functional to how we want to live and how we want to minister to the people God has called us to.  It is beyond amazing.

So…when my knee gets tired, or when my thigh and hip starts to ache, and I find myself slipping into intrusive thoughts and when that bill comes and insurance calls and I find myself doing some self loathing, I rearrange my thoughts.  I remember the blessings that God has brought to me through it.  It’s a gracious bruising that perpetually makes clear how wonderfully blessed I am that God has put so much goodness into my life.  I am blessed and favored because Yahweh has placed his name on me. 

How has God blessed you?

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10